Hector considered the problem. “Hmm . . . yes, I guess that’s right too, isn’t it?”
“Did you see the girl back to her ship safely?” Leoh asked.
“Yessir,” Hector replied, bobbing his head vigorously. “She’s on her way back to the communications booth at the space station. She said to tell you thanks and she enjoyed the visit a lot.”
“Good, It was very good of you to escort her around the campus. It kept her out of my hair … what’s left of it, that is.”
Hector grinned. “Oh, I liked taking her around and all that … and, well, it sort of kept me out of your hair too, didn’t it?”
Leoh’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
Laughing, Hector said, “Professor, I may be clumsy, nd I’m sure brainless.”o scientist … but I’m not completely
“I’m sony if I gave you that impression.”
“Oh no … don’t be sorry. I didn’t mean that to sound .. . well, the way it sounded. . . . That is, I know I’m just in your way. …” He started to get up.
Leoh waved him back to the couch. “Relax, my boy, relax. You know, I’ve been sitting here all afternoon wondering what to do next. Somehow, just now, I’ve come to a conclusion.”
“Yes?”
“I’m going to leave the Acquataine Cluster and return to Carinae.”
“What? But you can’t! I mean….”
“Why not? I’m not accomplishing anything here. Whatever it is that this Odal and Kanus have been doing, it’s basically a political problem, not a scientific one. The professional staff of the machine here will catch up to their tricks, sooner or later.”
“But, sir, if you can’t find the answer, how can they?”